The false coral has been delivered by the agents of the Seprona of Gandia to our Herpetology department of Terra Natura Benidorm.

The Guardia Civil of Valencia has delivered to Terra Natura Benidorm a snake, known as false coral (Lampropeltis triangulum), which had been rescued at a home in the municipality of Massanassa.

The agents of the Seprona of Gandia went to the house after receiving a call from a neighbour, reporting that he had found in his dining room a snake that had apparently slipped through the window of the first floor of the building.

The false coral has been taken to Terra Natura Benidorm to be cared for by the park’s expert herpetologists. The snake was taken to the quarantine area as a preventive measure and underwent a veterinary examination to check its state of health.

The species is in a conservation status of minor concern. In addition to the general examination carried out to check its state of health, a coprological test has also been carried out to detect possible infections, the result of which has been good, and various external deworming treatments and a treatment against internal flagellates have been applied.

Our team of herpetologists has extensive experience in the handling and care of reptiles. The false coral can now be seen by visitors in the permanent exhibition of venomous creatures at Terra Natura Benidorm, which is located inside the volcano in the Pangea area.

The false coral differs from the coral snake in the order of the coloured rings and because the false coral is not venomous. According to the herpetologist of Terra Natura Benidorm, David Martí, “there is a lot of confusion between the two species, so extreme caution should be taken if you find one of these snakes and alert the security forces so that it is handled by an expert person with knowledge about handling these animals”.

The false coral can reach up to 1.5 metres in length as an adult. This species usually mates between April and June and is not aggressive. Due to confusion with the coral snake because of its resemblance, it is one of the snakes most often attacked by humans.